Event Space & Venue Rental on the Lower East Side

Manny Cantor Center offers flexible event space on the Lower East Side for parties, corporate gatherings, milestone celebrations, and community events. Located at 197 East Broadway in Lower Manhattan, our building brings together a rooftop with stunning skyline views, a 4,600 sq. ft. gymnasium, and adaptable indoor rooms — so you can match the space to the occasion, the headcount, and the budget.

As a community center and a program of the nonprofit Educational Alliance, we host neighbors, families, and organizations of every size and income. That means accessible, straightforward venue rental on the Lower East Side, with a team that helps you plan rather than upsell. To inquire, call (646) 395-4193 or email rentals@edalliance.org.

Rent our rooftop in Lower Manhattan

Our rooftop is one of the few rooftop rental options in NYC that pairs open-air Lower Manhattan views with the full support of a community center downstairs. It’s a natural fit for receptions, networking events, birthday and graduation parties, wedding celebrations, and warm-weather gatherings — memorable without a luxury price tag.

Because the rooftop sits within the larger Manny Cantor Center building, you can combine it with indoor spaces for catering, coat check, or rain backup — flexibility most standalone rooftop venues in Lower Manhattan can’t match.

  • Renovated 2,900 sq. ft. glass-enclosed multi-purpose space with hardwood floors
  • Capacity seating for up to 200 guests
  • Wrap-around outdoor terrace with downtown Manhattan skyline views
  • Fully equipped AV/sound system: Bluetooth, microphones, projector
  • Catering pantry on-site
  • Personalized support from MCC staff throughout your event
  • Wrap around terrace
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Contact Us

THE ROOFTOP FEATURES

  • Renovated 2,900 square foot glass-enclosed multi-purpose space with hardwood floors
  • Capacity seating for 200
  • Wrap-around, one-of-a-kind outdoor terrace with phenomenal downtown Manhattan skyline views
  • Fully equipped AV/sound system with Bluetooth connection, microphones, and projector system
  • Catering pantry
  • Personalized support from Manny Cantor Center Staff

BASKETBALL COURT RENTALS

Manny Cantor Center also rents a full-sized 4,600 sq. ft. basketball court for teams and events, as well as rooms for meetings.

The MCC Terrace: outdoor community event space

The MCC Terrace is a fully outdoor second-floor greenspace on the Lower East Side, suited to smaller gatherings, family events, and community programming. With flexible layout options, ADA elevator access, and a small playground area for young children, it’s a practical outdoor venue for groups who need a relaxed, open-air setting.

  • Fully outdoor 2nd floor terrace greenspace
  • Max occupancy: 164 guests
  • Small playground area (ages 5 and under)
  • Flexible layout options
  • Restroom access included
  • ADA accessible with elevator access
  • Close to public transit in Lower Manhattan

READ WHAT OUR RENTERS ARE SAYING:

  • We are so happy we decided to have our wedding at Manny Cantor Center. We got an absolutely beautiful space at a really accessible rate.  All of the staff were really helpful and went above and beyond to make sure we and all of our guests enjoyed our wedding. Also, we loved that were able to support an organization who’s values we share.
    Jon & Ashley
  • Manny Cantor Center’s 6th floor event space is a beautiful venue and a great choice for organizations looking to host community-minded events. The space is clean and modern and worked perfectly for our panel discussion. Most importantly, Amy, Dara, and the rest of the staff were a pleasure to work with and very accommodating. We certainly hope to work with them again in the future.
    Emma Boast, Program Director, Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD)

About the building: a Lower East Side landmark

Manny Cantor About Us BannerThe renovated Manny Cantor Center is a transformation of the Educational Alliance’s historic flagship building on Manhattan’s East Broadway at Jefferson Street. The five-story, Romanesque-revival building at 197 East Broadway in NYC has been in continuous use since its completion in 1890 by the architects Brunner & Tryon.

It is the centerpiece of a larger facility that includes a nearly seamless 1920s six-story addition to the east and a 1964 modernist community facility and residence, the Podell Building, to the south.

The vast expanse of these buildings has enabled the Educational Alliance (often called the “Edgies”) to serve thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds for 135 years. Platt Byard Dovell White Architects re-imagined the building’s aging facilities with the evolving needs of the community and the aspirations of the Educational Alliance and Manny Cantor Center to meet these needs in mind. The result is a fully renovated, environmentally friendly, multi-purpose, and gorgeous space, with incredible views.

ABOUT MANNY CANTOR CENTER

Opened in 2014 in the renovated Educational Alliance building as its flagship community center, Manny Cantor Center is a settlement house of yesterday and a community center for today and tomorrow. Offering arts, culture, wellness, education, and social services for ages 0-100+. All are welcome.

TO LEARN MORE

CONTACT OUR TEAM

rentals@edalliance.org

(646) 395-4193

Community center rentals: spaces, capacity & pricing

Beyond the rooftop and terrace, Manny Cantor Center offers indoor event rooms and gymnasium space suited to everything from small workshops to large receptions. Whether you need a community space rental in NYC for a board meeting or a larger room for a celebration, our team can walk you through which space fits your group size and format.

As a nonprofit community center rental and a program of Educational Alliance, our venue pricing is designed for community access — not exclusivity. Final pricing depends on the specific space, date, and event type. The fastest way to get specifics: submit a rental inquiry and we’ll confirm availability, capacity, and rates within one business day.

Book your event venue on the Lower East Side

Booking an event venue on the Lower East Side at Manny Cantor Center starts with a quick rental inquiry. Tell us your date, expected headcount, and the kind of event you’re planning — our team will follow up with availability, capacity, and pricing for the rooftop, terrace, gym, or indoor rooms.

Contact our rentals team:
Email: rentals@edalliance.org
Phone: (646) 395-4193
Address: 197 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002

Building hours: Monday–Friday 6:30 am–9 pm · Saturday–Sunday 9 am–6 pm.

Rentals FAQ

What spaces can I rent at Manny Cantor Center?
Manny Cantor Center rents a rooftop with Lower Manhattan skyline views (up to 200 guests), a fully outdoor terrace greenspace (max 164), a 4,600 sq. ft. full-sized gymnasium, and adaptable indoor event rooms at 197 East Broadway on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. These spaces host parties, corporate events, and community gatherings of varying sizes.
Can I rent the rooftop at Manny Cantor Center for a party?
Yes. Manny Cantor Center’s rooftop in Lower Manhattan is available to rent for parties, receptions, and gatherings, with open-air skyline views and AV/sound system included. Because it sits within the larger community center, it can be combined with indoor spaces for catering or a rain backup.
Is the basketball court available to rent?
Yes. The basketball court at Manny Cantor Center — a 4,600 sq. ft. full-sized court — can be rented for pickup games, leagues, practices, and active events. It is one of several rentable spaces at the Lower East Side venue, which also includes event rooms and the terrace.
How much does it cost to rent event space at Manny Cantor Center?
As a nonprofit community center and a program of Educational Alliance, Manny Cantor Center prices its rentals for community access and affordability rather than luxury rates. Pricing depends on the specific space, date, and event type. Submit a rental inquiry to rentals@edalliance.org or call (646) 395-4193 and the team will confirm availability and pricing.
How do I book a rental at Manny Cantor Center?
To book, email rentals@edalliance.org or call (646) 395-4193 with your date, expected headcount, and event type. The rental team responds with availability, capacity, and pricing for the rooftop, terrace, gym, or indoor spaces at 197 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002.